Reduced grain harvest due to heavy rainfall

While farmers in many parts of the world are suffering from drought this year, Norwegian grain farmers in particular see their crops reduced by too much rain.

Original author:
The Norway Post
Published: 28.08.2012

Representatives for the grain farmers estimate that the harvest this year will be around seven per cent below the average for the last five years. And if the rain does not stop very soon, the result could be even worse.

This would mean that Norway will have to import around 50 per cent of the food grain needed for the coming year. The normal import level is 30-40 per cent.

The cold and wet summer is blamed, together with a poor harvest also last year.

- It has been tough being a grain farmer these last three years, says Svein Stubberud from Vestby, southeast of Oslo. - Many haave already given up, while we who are left will jusst have to hope for better harvests in the coming years, he says.